A quartz countertop may be the answer for people who love the look of granite but are worried about some of these stones sagging. Granite is a porous natural stone that can absorb liquids, can absorb stains from grease and cooking oils, and can be etched with acids found in common household items like hairspray. Engineered quartz countertops are not affected by any of these hazards.
Granite is also very unpredictable in its color or patterns between slabs, and this makes it a bit difficult at times to match portions of a countertop. Engineered quartz kitchen countertops are uniform in texture, color and design. The great benefit of quartz kitchen countertops is that they provide almost all of the positive qualities of a natural stone, such as a rich appearance and durability, but are free from most of the drawbacks.
Quartz countertops are man made. The manufacturing process to make quartz into a slab or countertop uses raw quartz crystals, one of the hardest substances available. After selecting and grinding the quartz, the crystals are combined with resin, a binding agent, and color. All of this is heated and vibrocompacted to create an impenetrable surface. Quartz countertops have to be made up of at least 93% quartz or they won’t boast the durability, water resistance or hardness of a real quartz surface. The final product is non-porous, highly durable and twice as resistant as granite.
Engineered quartz countertop surfaces are available in a wide variety of colors that cannot be found naturally because crushed stone is usually combined with stain. You should take advantage of this versatility available to your kitchen design when you are considering quartz kitchen countertops, so that they can dazzle the eye while still having the look of stone. The edge profiles of quartz kitchen countertops can vary from simple bevels to ogee and rounded, just like with natural stone.
Installing engineered quartz countertops is not a DIY project. You must have an experienced professional to do the job.
Because quartz is non-porous, its polished surfaces, such as granite or other natural stone, do not need to be sealed to prevent staining. The quartz surface is virtually indestructible and requires virtually no maintenance. Resists stains caused by fruit juices, wine, food coloring, nail polish and remover, tea, and markers. The non-porous and non-absorbent nature of a quartz countertop is very hygienic, it does not harbor bacteria, making it a safe choice for food handling in the kitchen. Cleaning quartz kitchen countertops is quite easy. It involves using a little soapy water or a mild cleanser.
These are not the cheapest kitchen countertop option by any means, rivaling natural stone in cost. The average cost of a quartz countertop will be in the range of about $50 and up per square foot installed. Some of the common brands you’ll be looking for include Silestone, Zodiaq, and Cambria. You can find engineered quartz countertops online if you have a problem locally.
If you are decorating your kitchen and want the rich look of natural stone without the maintenance requirements. You should seriously consider the advantages available to you with quartz countertops.